Excess weight reducing mat



Sept. 15, 1953 J. w. ZEIGLER 2,652,049

EXCESS WEIGHT REDUCING MAT Filed April 17, 1952 5 IN VEIN TOR. 5. 1? WWW Patented Sept. 15, 1953 UNITED STATES ENT PF! CE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in ap paratus for promoting the reduction of excess tissue from overweight persons and has the particular advantage of being usable on any flat surface such as a floor and that when not in use, it can be rolled into a compact roll for storage.

This invention not only operates through rolling action on the tissues but also operates through a massaging action due to the specific type of connections between the various elements and is therefore very efiicient in its operation, convenient and easy to use and economical to manufacture.

The objects and advantages of the invention are as follows:

First, to provide reducing apparatus which is of the utmost efficiency in reducing excess tissue while being simple and easy to use.

Second, to provide the apparatus as outlined in which the reducing action is promoted coincidentally through rolling action and massaging action.

Third, to provide apparatus as outlined which can be spread on any suitable flat surface, in the form of a mat for use and which after use can be rolled and stored in a small space.

Fourth, to provide apparatus as outlined in which a multiplicity of relatively small diameter rollers are connected in alternate pairs by means of elastic belts to permit rolling action and spreading and contracting action.

Fifth, to provide apparatus as outlined which is easily and economically constructed, easily assembled and easily and quickly placed in condition for use.

In describing the invention reference will he had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section taken on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is another enlarged section showing the rollers spread under pressure against the resistance of the elastic connection.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view showing a modification of the rollers.

The invention consists of a multiplicity of rollers H! which are preferably made about /8 to /4 inch in diameter though not limited to such measurements, each of these rollers having a pair of belt grooves H and i2 with intervening collar l3 formed adjacent each end. The rollers are connected in alternate pairs by means of elastic material such as live rubber bands M, these rubher hands being thicker than the depth of the groove to keep the reducing mat from skidding on the hard surface. By this means of connection the rollers are free to roll on a surface with body movements and also through pressure are enabled to spread and upon removing the pressure, to again contract through the resiliency of the bands, thus providing the massaging action as is shown in exaggerated form in Fig. 4.

The rollers are found to be very efficient when they are plane cylindrical, however, they may he formed to other surface forms such as is illus= trated in Fig. 5, in which an undulating form is provided with the respective rollers l5 and i i formed for mutual cooperation which assists in maintaining the mat in a rectangular condition.

In using this reducing mat, the mat is first laid. on the floor, a person lies on the mat and by a swaying motion of the body thereon, causes a rolling action of the mat as also a spreading between certain ones of the rollers which create the massaging action and through this combination. eifective operation on the tissues is carried out. This mat is specifically designed for reducing the measurements about the hips and waist and to tone up the muscles.

The person using the mat first sits in the center of the mat and leans back to any desired. extent or to one side, and then starts the swaying motion. or leaning back and bracing self with arms out to the side, hands flat on the floor, the body is rolled over from one hip to the other, changing the bracing from one hand to the other as necessary to carry out this motion. Such variations can be carried out as may be required for any portion of the body.

I claim:

1. A. reducing mat comprising a multiplicity of relatively cylindrical. elongated members con nected in alternate pairs to form a continuous mat with the connections comprising elastic bands individually connecting each pair of rolling and spreading action.

2. A structure as defined in claim 1, in which such cylindrical members are each provided with a pair of belt grooves with an intervening collar adjacent each end and with the grooves having a depth less than the thickness of the belts for support of the mat on the belts to prevent slsidding on a smooth surface.

3. A reducing mat comprising a multiplicity of elongated cylindrical rods each rod having two belt grooves with intervening collar formed adjacent each end and an elastic band for each end of each alternate pair resiliently connecting the rollers in pairs to form a continuous mat to provide for rolling action accompanied by spreading and retracting action between the rollers through movements of the body thereon.

4. A structure as defined in claim 3 in which said elastic bands have a thickness greater than the depth of the grooves to transfer support of the mat on to the elastic bands for silencing and anti-skid purposes.

JAMES W. ZEIGLER.

Name Date Lewis Mar. 15, 1932.

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